San Clemente's code sets fence heights and requires fences be maintained so they are not a hazard, but does not itself divide cost between neighbors. Shared-fence cost sharing is governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Law.
SCMC Section 17.24.090 governs where and how tall a fence may be, and requires that fences be maintained so they do not constitute a hazard to traffic, persons or property. The Municipal Code does not allocate the cost of a boundary fence between owners. That is addressed by California Civil Code Section 841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Law), which presumes adjoining owners share equally in the reasonable cost of a common boundary fence, and requires 30 days' written notice before shared work. Height on a shared line is still capped by SCMC 17.24.090, generally 6 feet in side and rear yards. Because height is measured from the lower side of finished grade, a fence can look different from each side.
The City enforces height, location and maintenance standards, not private cost-sharing. A fence that is a safety hazard or exceeds SCMC 17.24.090 limits can draw Code Enforcement action (949-366-4705). Cost disputes are civil matters under Civil Code Section 841.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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